A Bedford Borough councillor has left the Labour Group, citing welfare reform plans and the government’s response to the crisis in Palestine as the reasons behind her decision.
Cllr Caroline White, who represents Kempston Central and East, announced she would serve the remainder of her term as an Independent councillor, stepping away from Labour with immediate effect.
Explaining her decision, Cllr White said the government’s plans to introduce welfare cuts had “crossed a red line” for her, not only as a Labour councillor but “as an individual”.
She said she could not stand by while reforms impacted “the most vulnerable in our society,” adding, “I did not stand for election and ask residents in my ward to vote for me to then turn round to deliver this.”
She criticised the plans to change Personal Independence Payment (PIP), noting that many people claiming it were already in work and contributing to the economy. “It is not an out-of-work benefit but assists many into work,” she said.
Highlighting the volume of casework in her ward and the pressures already faced by local charities and food banks, she warned that the planned cuts would increase demand on support services.
She also cited what she described as the government’s “lack of response to the ongoing genocide within Palestine” as another key reason for her departure, saying it was “not the response we would expect from our government” and it had caused “deep concern” among some residents and herself.
Cllr White said she would continue to serve her constituents and work alongside her former Labour colleague Cllr Mohammad Nawaz, who also represents Kempston Central and East.
Second departure
In a statement, the Bedford Borough Labour Group thanked Cllr White for her service and wished her well.
A spokesperson said: “Caroline expressed her sincere gratitude for the support she has received since being elected and stated her pride in serving the residents of Kempston Central & East and beyond.
“Kempston Central and East residents will continue to be represented by Labour councillor Mohammad Nawaz, who has been their councillor for the past fourteen years.
“He is an experienced and dedicated councillor and we are confident residents’ interests will continue to be strongly represented.”
Cllr White is the second Labour councillor to leave the group since the May 2023 local elections. In November last year, Cllr Mohammed Mahboob Din (Queens Park) also became an Independent.
Read: Bedford Borough Councillor resigns from party over Gaza conflict
By Paul Hutchinson, Bedford Independent
and John Guinn, Local Democracy Reporter
